BLM Urges Everyone to be Fire Wise

The BLM would like to remind not just spring turkey hunters and campers, but everyone, to be mindful of current fire conditions and to respect private landowners, wildlife and other recreationists while enjoying BLM-administered lands.

Although it is early April, current fuel and fire conditions on the landscape are similar to the conditions seen last August. The surrounding area has experienced record temperatures and little moisture over the past few months, and spring green up is a few weeks out.

“Even though BLM-managed lands in the Miles City Field Office are not currently under fire restrictions, we’d like recreationists to be careful out there,” said Eric Lepisto, Fire Management Officer for the Eastern Montana – Dakotas BLM. “Dry grassy fuels are thick and abundant due to the record moisture from last year, and any ignition source has potential start a wildfire”.

Cross-country vehicle travel on public land is prohibited to protect fragile soils, vegetation and wildlife. Motorists are encouraged to watch where they park and avoid starting a fire with a hot exhaust system in tall vegetation. Hunters are highly encouraged to carry a map and check with local BLM or USFS offices to obtain current travel information.

Spark arresters are required on OHV internal combustion engines used on public lands.

Never leave a campfire unattended; keep water and a shovel handy.

Extinguish cigarettes and matches completely; put them in the garbage - don’t litter.

Pack it in, Pack it out - All garbage must be removed.

Wash vehicles before and after traveling to avoid spreading noxious weeds.

Check the rules - know before you go. State rules and regulations apply on federal lands.

Incidents and violations can be reported by calling the BLM Miles City Field Office at: (406) 233-2800. Violations may also be reported by calling 1-800-826-3023 or 1-800-TIP-MONT. Local fire information is available on the web at http://blm.gov/29jd.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land – the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.